South Carolina Senate Republican Caucus

Dear Friends:

I’m sure you’ve noticed the welcome relief that we’ve received from the heat of summer. Fall is here. We’ve been out of session for about four months, but we’ve hardly been “off,” as you’ll see in some detail in this issue of THE VERDIN VIEW.

Last month, we wrapped up the South Carolina Natural Gas Exploration Feasibility Study Committee. This was a committee established by statute during the 2007-2008 sessions. I served as a member, as did several Senate and House members, including Rep. Jeff Duncan. Therefore, many of you reading this newsletter were fully represented by having both your legislators on this committee. Additionally, there were non-legislators from a number of professions, all bringing their unique perspective to this issue. Read the rest of this entry »

Bryant Continues Fight for Greater Transparency

Wants Property Valuation Notices to be Mailed Prior to End of Fiscal Year

Senator Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson) continues to fight for greater transparency in state and local government. Senator Bryant wants county tax officials to send out new property value notices at least 60 days before the end of a county’s fiscal year, so taxpayers can have a better understanding of how much money is being collected due to an increase in property values.

“I am working on legislation that would require counties to send reassessment notices to taxpaying homeowners 60 days prior to the end of the county’s fiscal year,” says Senator Bryant. “Many taxpayers in Anderson County are still in the dark about the reassessed value of their property and the potential impact on their personal finances.” Read the rest of this entry »

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Cruelty is cruelty. Why put dogs on a pedestal?”

— Sen. Danny Verdin, R-Laurens, as he expanded a bill that would make it illegal to tether dogs more than three hours a day to include all pets

CAMPAIGN TRAIL

News from campaigns competing in June’s primary. Read the rest of this entry »

Week of March 11 – 13, 2008

Quote of the Week: All I want is to leave enough water in the river for it to remain a river.
  Senator Chip Campsen (R-Charleston) commenting on minimum flow standards discussed in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

Candidate Drug Testing Bill to be Screened on Senate Floor The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Senate Bill 1070, a.k.a the Candidate Drug Testing Bill, on Tuesday, March 11. The debate on the bill, while serious, certainly had its moments of levity, including an amendment by a senior Democrat senator to include IQ test results with candidate filing papers. The amendment was immediately voted down.

The bill is now on the Senate calendar awaiting debate. Read the rest of this entry »

Quote of the Week: “It is a credit to Mr. Lloyd that throughout this process there has not been one thing presented that would in any way cast a negative shadow on this nomination. I think the unanimous vote for his confirmation shows what type of person members think Reggie Lloyd is and what type of chief of SLED they think he will be.”

Senate Judiciary Chairman Glenn McConnell (R-Charleston), on the confirmation of Reginald Lloyd as SLED chief.

Illegal Immigration Reform-The Senate amended the House changes to the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act (S.392) on Wednesday, February 13, and sent it back to the House for concurrence. The latest effort by the Senate to produce a strong immigration reform bill comes after 18 months of work.

During the 2007 legislative session the Senate heavily debated illegal immigration reform before passing a bill that was sent to the House. A Senate subcommittee, chaired by Senator Jim Ritchie (R-13), Majority Whip, conducted public hearings throughout the summer and the Senate continued working to strengthen the bill this session.

The bill, as amended by the Senate, is the strongest illegal immigration reform legislation approved by either body so far. If the House does not concur with the Senate’s final amendments the bill will go to conference.

SLED Chief - Reginald Lloyd Confirmed by Senate U.S. Attorney and former South Carolina Circuit Court Judge, Reginald I. Lloyd will soon be referred to as Chief Lloyd. The South Carolina Senate, this week, unanimously approved Governor Mark Sanford’s nomination of Lloyd to lead the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Upon being sworn-in, Lloyd will become the first African-American to serve as the chief of SLED.

Cigarette Tax Receives Two-Week Extension The Senate Finance Special Subcommittee on Cigarette Tax (H.3567) met on Thursday, February 14. The meeting served mainly as an update for subcommittee members, who heard from staff conducting research on the issue. The next meeting of the subcommittee is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19.

Later, during the Senate session on Thursday, Finance Chairman Senator Hugh Leatherman (R-Florence) requested and was granted a two-week extension. The bill was scheduled to return to the Senate floor next week, but is now scheduled to return on Wednesday, March 5. 

DUI Reform-The Senate Judiciary Committee completed discussion on DUI Reform (H.3496) on Tuesday, February 12. The bill received two days of debate, during which time senators carefully poured over each proposed amendment and discussed the ramifications of each.

The bill, as amended, received a favorable report and now moves to the full Senate, where it has been set for Special Order.  

Fire Sprinklers- The Senate Licensing Subcommittee of the Labor, Commerce and Industry Regulations Committee met on Tuesday, February 12, to continue discussions on pending legislation (S.860, S.921) concerning fire sprinkler systems. More than 10 different fire departments were represented in the meeting with some giving testimony, including State Fire Marshall, John Reich. 

Several ranking fire officials spoke in favor of including language in S.860 that would allow local municipalities to adopt more stringent fire codes on new construction homes, if the legislation was not mandated statewide. 

After hearing testimony for more than an hour, the subcommittee moved to carry over the discussion until the next meeting.

Nonprofit Raffles Have a Chance- Two bills allowing nonprofit organizations to expand their fundraising options passed a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee this week. One bill (S.967) is a constitutional amendment that would allow nonprofits to conduct raffles. Currently only the State can legally conduct a raffle.

The second bill (S.732) is a statutory change that would allow nonprofits to hold a “casino night” style fundraising event.

The two bills now go before the full Senate Judiciary Committee and could be on the calendar as early as Tuesday, February 19.

Payday Lending- The Senate began debate on payday lending (S.398) on Thursday and carried the discussion over until next week.

Senator Wes Hayes (R-York) presented an amendment that came out of the Banking and Insurance Committee that dealt with:
 

• A statewide database
• Maximum loan amounts tied to personal income
• Number of outstanding loans made to one person
• Extended pay period with no additional penalty
• Board of Financial Institutions reporting to Senate
• Increased licensing fees for payday lenders

The Senate will continue discussion on the amendment, the bill and the broader subject of payday lending on Tuesday, February 19.

South Carolina Entrepreneurial Success Fund A Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Regulations Subcommittee, chaired by Senator Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson) heard testimony on the South Carolina Entrepreneurial Success Fund Act (S.897). The subcommittee, after hearing testimony, voted to give the bill a favorable report and send it to the full Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Regulations Committee.

Water Withdrawal- The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Senator Danny Verdin (R-Laurens) met on Wednesday, February 13, to give committee members an update on the progress of discussions concerning water withdrawal permitting (S.428/H.3578). No actions were taken.

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